Caffélatex is a truly innovative tyre sealant, successfully used on and off (MTB, cyclocross) road, for tubeless, tubular and inner-tube applications.

Characteristics

Improved formula (since January 2012):

Thanks to the addition of microscopic silicate particles, Caffélatex now moves more slowly through holes, allowing the sealing ingredient more time to heal the puncture. These particles are NOT of macroscopic size (e.g., glitter 150-300 microns) but are instead microscopic particles less than 2 microns in diameter. Thus, Caffélatex flow characteristics change on a microscopic level without the headaches of valve-clogging glitter. Puncture repair speed is up to 5 times faster, an improvement especially noticeable with lightweight or thin-casing tires

Foaming action activated by wheel movement:

The first advantage of Caffélatex over classic latex-based sealants comes from a foaming agent (Actifoam™), activated by wheel movement. Centrifugal force drives standard latex-based sealants against the outer circumference of the tyre. Caffélatex foaming action causes it to fill the tyre’s entire internal cavity , making it much more effective against sidewall punctures.

Puncture-repairing action:

Its fast sealing action makes Caffélatex ideal for MTB and road tubeless, tubular and standard tyres. Caffélatex repairs punctures up to 5 mm (mtb) and 3 mm (road).

Stable over time:

Thanks to its formula, Caffélatex is a very stable and durable sealant, but we know this is highly dependable on kind of application and external conditions.

Using the recommended quantities for tyre size, the expected sealant lifespan is:

Tubular (or Caffélatex inserted into latex/butyl inner tube): 1-2 years
UST Tubeless tyre: 4-6 months
Tubeless-ready tyre: 2-4 months
Tube-type tyre: 2-3 months
Nevertheless, in the impossibility of knowing our customers’ specific application (kind of wheel/tyre set-up, tyre sidewall thickness and porosities, external temperature and humidity, bicycle storage conditions…), we recommend checking Caffélatex every 2 months, to make sure it’s liquid and therefore retains its ‘puncture preventive’ action.
When dry, Caffélatex-sealed wheels are still air-tight, but Caffélatex won’t actively repair punctures.

Not corrosive:

being completely ammonia-free, its 100% tyre and rim friendly. It’s also a favourite sealant for cyclocross/tubular applications, creating no harm to the sensitive latex inner tubes.

Usage and storage temperatures:

From very cold to very hot, exceeding by far those of first-generation latex sealants (usage: -20/+50°C ~ storage: -15/ +30°C).

Recommended quantities:

30 to 50 ml per wheel for road/cyclocross applications; 50 ml for mtb tyres up to 26×2.10/29×2.00; 60 to 100 ml for mtb tyres over 26×2.10/29×2.00.

Sizes:

60ml pouch, 250ml or 1000ml bottles or 10 litre workshop tub

Occasionally, without notice, manufacturers change product design and/or specifications.

Tubeless Sealant and Accessories Guide

Riding with tubeless tyres means that you’ll spend less time fixing flats and more time shredding the trails or lighting up the open road. In this tubeless guide we’ll look at all the things you need to get your wheels and tyres rolling without inner tubes.

Tubeless Sealant

Sealing all the little air gaps in your tyres, whether through a puncture or a less-than-perfect tyre/rim seal, tubeless sealant is an essential for every cyclist who wants to ride without tubes. There are a few different options to choose from, but they all work on the same principle: a liquid that solidifies when it leaks out of the tyre to seal gaps and punctures.

While simple latex-based liquids will work as sealants most brands sealants use special formulas and additives to improve longevity and sealing performance. Sealants with particles added are better at sealing larger holes so are ideally suited to mountain bike tyres. Lighter weight sealants are good for road bikes as puncture holes are generally smaller and easier to heal. Some sealants don’t work well with CO2, so check for compatibility if you plan on using a CO2 inflator to seat your tyre.

How much sealant should I use?

The amount of sealant you need to use will depend on the volume of the tyre. Brands will recommend specific amounts for their sealants which will be about 30 – 60ml for road bike tyres and 70 – 150ml for MTB tyres.

The table opposite shows typical sealant quantity recommendations to use as a starting point. If your tyres are a little porous some sealant may leak out. Don’t worry about this, it’s just the sealant doing its job, but you may need to top up with a little extra to be sure that there is enough left to seal any punctures.

Tyre size	Sealant quantity
27.5 x 2.0	75ml
27.5 x 2.4	110ml
29 x 2.0	90ml
29 x 2.4	130ml
700 x 25	30ml
700 x 32	50ml

Tubeless Sealant Accessories

Tubeless Rim Tape

If your wheel doesn’t have tubeless ready rim tape installed, then you will need to tape the rim with tubeless compatible tape. Tape is available in different widths and you’ll need a size that best matches the internal width of your rim.

applying tubeless rimn tape to an mtb wheel

Tubeless Valves

As there is no inner tube the valve attaches directly to the rim of a tubeless wheel. These are usually Presta valves. Make sure that you get ones that are long enough to easily go through the rim of your bike. Longer valves are available for deep section rims. The valve cores tend to block up with sealant after a while so they will need taking out and cleaning and/or replacing from time to time.

Tubeless Conversion Kits

Tubeless conversion kits contain sealant, tape and valves as well as fitting instructions, so these are the best option when converting your wheels for the first time. When buying a conversion kit make sure that you get one with the correct tape width and valve length to fit your wheel.

Sealant Injector

You can pour sealant into the tyre before you finish putting the tyre on, but many people prefer to inject the sealant through the valve. You can use a normal syringe, but specific injectors usually include a valve adaptor that makes the job easier. Some Tubeless Kits include an injector.

injecting sealant into a mountainbike tyre

Tubeless Tyre Repair Kits

While sealant will heal smaller punctures by itself a larger hole or tear in the tyre will need to be plugged or patched. Tubeless plug systems offer long lasting repairs and are very quick and easy to use even at the road or trail side. If you don’t want to have a small bit of the rubber bung showing through your tyre, then you will need to take the tyre off and patch it from the inside.

repairing a puncture in a tubeless mtb tyre

Tyre Inserts

Foam tyre inserts cushion the blows from rock strikes, especially when running low tyre pressures. They are a great way to protect your MTB tyre and rim when riding through rough terrain. Inserts can also help to keep the tyre on the rim more securely to avoid burping air when cornering.

Tubeless Inflators

When you fit a new tubeless tyre, it can sometimes be difficult to get the tyre seated properly on the rim. This is because a normal track pump doesn’t blow the air out quick enough to overcome the initial gaps between tyre and rim. Tubeless inflators allow you to blast a shot of air directly into the tyre to pop it onto the rim.

Tubeless inflators like the original Air Shot need to be pumped up with a separate track pump whereas others combine both track pump and inflator tank. See our range of tubeless inflators

How to Convert to Tubeless

While tubeless systems will save you time in the long run, they do take a little more care to set up.

See our Tubeless Tyre Conversion Guide for more.

Effetto Mariposa Caffelatex Sealant - 1000ml